Roxana to Receive Medill Medal for Courage in Journalism on June 20

Formerly imprisoned Northwestern alumna Roxana Saberi, Medill ’99, will attend the Medill School of Journalism Convocation on June 20, according to the Medill Dean’s office and journalism Prof. Jack Doppelt.

She will also be receiving the Medill Medal for Courage in Journalism, sources confirmed Thursday.

Saberi returned to the United States this week after being freed from Iranian prison on May 11 after an appeals court hearing reduced her sentence.

Saberi was working in the country as a freelance journalist when she was arrested by Iranian authorities for buying wine, which is illegal in the country. She was later accused of reporting in Iran without press credentials and then of espionage. Saberi was originally sentenced by the Iranian Revolutionary Court to eight years in prison.

An international outpouring of support in addition to a FreeRoxana campaign, led in part by Doppelt, followed her arrest and imprisonment.